Symptoms of mixed hearing loss
There are varying levels of mixed hearing loss and it can affect one or both ears.
If the loss is mostly conductive, it might make it tricky to hear people speaking if they talk quietly or if there’s background noise. Conductive hearing loss is caused by problems with the outer or middle ear, so some sound waves can’t get to the inner ear.
If it’s more sensorineural you might find it difficult to understand speech, even when the person is speaking loudly. Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by problems with the inner ear and the nerves related to hearing.
Many people with a mixed hearing loss will experience sounds as very soft in volume, which makes them difficult to understand.
Signs to look out for include asking people to repeat themselves, avoiding noisy situations, and feeling tired from straining to hear people.
Causes of mixed hearing loss
As a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, there are several causes for mixed hearing loss. These include:
- Genetic factors
- Ageing
- Excessive noise
- Certain medications
- Birth conditions
- Ear infections
- Tumours and disease
- Head trauma
- Earwax
As an example, mixed hearing loss can be caused by working in a noisy environment coupled with an ear infection – both of which can be tackled independently.
Treatment process for mixed hearing loss
Mixed hearing loss can be treated in a number of ways depending on the causes. Your hearing expert or GP will be able to find out if medications, hearing aids or, in some cases, surgery would be the best treatment plan.
Mixed hearing loss patient outlook
The conductive element of mixed hearing loss can sometimes be helped through treatment but sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent.
Hearing aids for mixed hearing loss
Depending on the level of sensorineural hearing loss, you may find that hearing aids would be hugely beneficial.
Surgical treatment
Surgical treatments tend to focus on very specific causes of mixed hearing loss and therefore won’t benefit everyone. Hearing aids tend to be the most suitable option.
Ageing and mixed hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is more often than not a result of ageing. Combine this with overexposure to loud noises, certain medications and some medical or genetic conditions, and you can develop mixed hearing loss.
Conductive and sensorineural hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss is caused by problems with the outer or middle ear, so the ear canal, ear drum, middle ear bones or middle ear cavity are preventing sound from getting to the inner ear.
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by problems with the inner ear and the nerves related to hearing.
When to seek help from a hearing expert
If you think you’re experiencing mixed hearing loss, or experience any type of sudden hearing loss, we’d recommend that you see one of our hearing experts or your GP as soon as possible to find out its cause, and the most effective treatment options to help restore your hearing.
Specsavers is proud to work with the NHS to provide hearing services
You might even be eligible for free, NHS-funded, hearing aids